Dinner Talk

A few weekends ago, my dad took me out to dinner in Sacramento. Across the room I saw a couple that appeared to be on a Saturday night date but at some point I think they had forgotten about each other. In a span of forty five minutes, the couple had only one short verbal interaction. The rest of their time was spent with their Blackberrys positioned directly in front of them.

This was not the first time I had seen an interaction like this. Across the country families, friends, and dates alike suffer from phone obsessions at the dinner table. Even as my dad and I enjoyed our meal, we played with his iPhone as I showed him how to use new apps. Technology at the dinner table has become a true problem in society. Silence during dinner with friends is more common as they take a quick minute to reply to texts. The effort of a family dinner is in constant disruption when the kids are distracted by Facebook.

The problem has grown so large that Ingrid Zweifel has designed a “Phonekerchief.” This modified handkerchief has special metal threads weaved in to block out wireless connection and cell reception. The easy solution is to just turn your “Crackberry” or “iTeat” off but the idea of the Phonekerchief is the statement made when you place your phone inside. Soon, we may be seeing formal place settings with Phonkerchiefs included for everyone to see that your phone is off so that you are an active member of the dinner conversation.

This is just a small clever technique for a giant problem growing in our country. Most of my meals are spent conversing with my family and friends and I intend to keep them that way. I enjoy the time spent away from my computer and phone and I can only hope that my generation will eventually feel encouraged to disconnect as well.

"App"sorbed

In response to our recent class discussions regarding smartphones and our immense reliance on them, I decided to dig deeper into the topic. For about the past ten years laptops have been all the rage. In today’s society, one is considered abnormal without a laptop and the wifi to come with it. The trend is shifting and smartphones are becoming the new laptop.

One definition of smartphone is a phone that has computer like qualities such as internet access. Although the “first” smartphone was released in 1992, what many consider the smartphone revolution started with the iPhone. The first iPhone was released in June 2007. Since the iPhone release, many other companies have developed smartphones similar to it such as the Blackberry Storm, the Android, the HTC Thunderbolt and the Samsung Galaxy. Most of these share common characteristics: internet abilities with access to wifi, e-mail, music players, and a touch screen.

Currently, it is application abilities that distinguish these phones and in general the iPhone contains the largest quantity and most current “apps” of all the smartphones. Some of the most common apps today include GPS, Facebook, Words with Friends, and Urban Spoon. Apps are providing so many resources that are just at the touch of the screen, however soon we may not even need to make the effort. In a recent New York Times article, Jenna Worthman reported on the Mobile World Conference taking place in Barcelona. During the conference, the chief executive of Google, Eric Schmidt talked about the future of smartphones. He explained that smartphones will become more intuitive. Schmidt used the example of a civilian walking through the streets of Barcelona. Using previous knowledge and Google activity, one’s smartphone might alert the individual of something they have expressed great interest in like a Spanish architecture museum.

To many people smartphones may seem excessive but the benefits and possibilities seem to be endless. Any user has the opportunity to create an app, opening doors for a million more ideas in the future. I believe those who do not join in the smartphone revolution will be left behind. In answer to our class conversation; yes we can do homework online but I don’t think that’s even the starting point to where smartphones will take us.

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The Greatest Marketing Tool- the iPhone App

One of my favorite ways to spend a beautiful day when I visit my parents’ house during weekends is flying with my dad around the Bay Area in his small private plane. About three years ago during a routine flight, my dad asked me to video tape the view. After a while, my hands started aching, which gave me an idea that I immediately shared with my dad. Transforming my initial idea into an actual patent, my dad established a new startup called Flyvie. Flyvie offers a product which is GPS based that tracks the flight and records it using digital cameras, and simultaneously saving all the data on a small memory card. This special application is later downloaded on a web browser, and the detailed flight can be viewed online by signed members. This product enables flight instructors and new pilots to re-visit their flight and mark both mistakes and achievements.
This product started out as a compact package including a laptop , two small digital cameras, a GPS center, and a memory card. Even though many flight schools and private instructors found this tool to be extremely helpful and purchased the kits in large numbers, we knew we were not reaching the full array of potential customers. That is when we came up with the idea for an iPhone app.
Considering the current social evolution, including the introduction of smart phones and constant accessibility to resources, we knew that a simple iPhone app (called Flyvie Lite) would be more applicable to the general aviation public. Indeed, just as we expected, once we came up with a free app which combines both the built-in GPS and camera applications on the iPhone, more people started showing interest. Even though the final product did not appear to be as professional as the initial product, pilots seem to prefer the accessible, friendly, cheap iPhone app (as long as they have iPhones, of course).
What I find the most fascinating about this experience is the obvious trend among any startups or technology mediated ideas: the necessity to attract more customers and expand the business using iPhone applications. The development of such app was a natural next step, which also ended up being a smart one.

iPhone Captures Last Launch

Thanks to the constant connectivity currently available, a man who probably woke up concerned only with making his flight captured a piece of history. Thursday, February 24^th, the space shuttle “Discovery” lifted off for its final voyage into space. Few people witness a shuttle launch firsthand, but due to a two hour commercial flight delay, a man named Neil Monday and those lucky enough to be seated on his side of the airplane got to watch the takeoff midair.

Tech-savvy Neil immediately whipped out his iPhone and was able to capture this historical event and upload it to Youtube within minutes. The video has gone viral, and has been used by multiple blogs and news agencies. Were it not for his quick turn to technology (though many airlines request that phones be turned off,) millions would have been denied the ability to view such a spectacular sight from such an unusual, breath-taking angle. Thank you Neil Monday!

Constant Connectivity for our Guardians Abroad

Filmmakers and authors focusing on recreating modern military actions are about to lose one of the more romantic aspects of the genre: the classic love letters.

Thanks to social networking, low cost services such as Skype, and smartphones, troops abroad are now able to keep in communication with their loved ones at home on a regular basis. Psychologist Barabara Van Dahlen Romberg accurately describes this phenomenon as “a mixed blessing."

Pros	Cons
Higher troop morale.	Distraction: Angry Birds during combat = no bueno.
Peace of mind for those at home (unless disaster befalls).	Distraction: Worried about issues at home while on the battlefield.
Perhaps more incentive for others to join the military now that there’s an alternative to writing letters.	Extreme cases of suicide due to the breakdown of long-distant relationships.
Fewer cases of depression, desertion, etc.	A different kind of anxiousness for those at home.

I believe my table does an adequate job of summing up the implications of this newfound connectivity on a personal level, so I’ll turn to a different—but nonetheless related—topic: the integration of smartphones into the military through an Army program called Connecting Soldiers to Digital Applications, or CSDA. Several phases of this program have already been enacted as students at Fort Lee, Virginia and Fort Sill, Oklahoma are already testing the phones for the war zone (Source).

One of the defining characteristics of the United States’ army is its positive attitude towards technology and its proven track record of incorporating these tools into its strategy. There’s no doubt that we are the most technologically advanced army in the world, just look at how the 1990-1991 Gulf War turned out. We have the security afforded to us by our armed forces abroad and at home to thank for the fact that we are still considered the safest country to invest in despite recent economic uncertainty, and our advanced equipment and weaponry play no small part in that achievement.

But let’s get back to business.

We have already seen some impressive combat applications with respect to our implementations of smart phones specifically. Take the fact that military drones can be controlled remotely via iPhone (Source). Other areas currently being explored are a secure network for iPhones and Androids so that they could be used on the field as an effective medium of communication, a software portal available for troops to download relevant applications, and applications which can be used to track down both enemies and friendly forces live on the battlefield (Source).
According to one of my sources, field tests are planned for February 2011. ArmyTimes, however, reports that while there is nothing definitive, the initiative is likely to begin with the highest ranked Army staff members.

One of the problems I foresee is that of uninterrupted service in hostile territory such as Iraq, but I doubt that there isn’t already some sort of solution for this.

It took me a few minutes to grasp the true implications of this news, but now, as I sit back and ponder the scope of events, I realize the possibilities truly are endless. Dialing in your coordinates into your smartphone as friendly planes prepare for aerial bombardments, ejected pilots enabling the GPS tracking on their phones to inform those back at command, and perhaps direct control for artillery barrages by select troops on the field. Granted, I’m sure anyone more knowledgeable of military matters could point out that all of the ideas I just proposed already exist through other technology. Alright, sounds great, but what sort of ideas could the military expert who just corrected me come up with?

“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” Albert Einstein.

“When a new invention promises to be useful, it ought to be tried.” Thomas Jefferson.

"Free" App

"I am Rich"
 Cell Phone App

In 2007, Apple launched the first iPhone.Since then, iPhone apps have flooded the market, and  now occupy every tidbit of our free time. Apps come in all shapes and sizes: potentially for men, women, children, and even pets. There was even the short-lived and ridiculous  $1000 "I am Rich" iPhone app that uselessly

displayed a glowing red jewel on the iPhone screen. 

After the angry outcry of a gullible customer revealed the worthlessness of this application, Apple swiftly took action to end the public outrage (the money was returned to the customer, and the app was no longer available for sale). Oddly enough, this app received the patronage of only 8 "curious aristocrats" before being taken down. Although nothing can compare to the function-less-ness of the "I am Rich" app, an outlandishnew app is creating outrage among parents. 

A Washington Post article published Tuesday, featured free iPhone apps geared toward children that are utilizing subversive tactics to charge users. After downloading these free apps and playing the games, the children are prompted whilst playing to buy in-game upgrades or special content. These purchases are then charged to the accounts of their parents, often unknowingly (purchases are password "protected").  This article raises an important question  about the role of parental monitoring in technology consumption.

These iPhone apps, downloaded onto the parents' phone,are often given to the child to play with as a type of "babysitter." Although the concept of preoccupying a child with another task is not new, the recent phenomenon of creating applications specifically tailored to a younger audience is. This trend has gained momentum, as seen in blogs such as the "Touchscreen Preschool Games" blog which reviews the latest iPhone apps released for young children.However, unlike physical babysitters which receive thorough background checks or undergo intensive interviews, parents conduct a cursory examination at best, when downloading these iPhone apps.

So, should parents be more vigilant or should companies clearly publish their hidden charges? 

Although I feel parents ought to monitor the iPhone apps to which they expose their children, I do agree these subversive business practices are exploiting parents. Children are not able to comprehend fully the consequences of in-game purchases and the $99 charges "for items such as barrels of Smurfberries." These companies capitalize on a child's inability to discern the real-world consequences of their actions as they play these games, scamming parents.Nonetheless, this story ought to serve as a wake-up call to parents who allow their children unmonitored and often unrestricted use of these types of technologies.

However, I have noticed a growing trend among social technology users who attempt to shirk responsibility. The realm of social technology has become a fast-paced world in which the users' sense of self dominates. iPhone apps I have downloaded are exploitative, charging me through my children; Facebook is phishing for my publicly posted "personal" information; Google is tracking my search history. While these feelings of persecution are, to some extent, cause for worry, how much do our feelings of being 'ripped-off' or invaded result from our own decision to download these applications and visit these websites? 

 Before jumping to conclusions, caving into public pressure and buying into the delusions of persecution, we must recall that we may have started it by exposing ourselves to this technology in the first place.   

Is the Use of Technology Compromising with People's Safety?

“Stop, look, and listen,” are the three safety words I grew up reciting mentally to myself before crossing the street. Today, with technology making its way into our daily lives, the word “listen” is slowly being forgotten as more and more people are using iPods to listen to music while crossing the street. As people are tuning out external sounds from cars, more people are getting involved in car accidents. According to the New York Times article, States’ Lawmakers Turn Attention to the Dangers of Distracted Pedestrians three people have been killed since September as a result of listening to music while crossing the street in New York.

A bill is pending in the New York legislature that wishes to ban the use of distracting electronic devices like iPods and cellular phones while crossing the street. There should not have to be a bill placed in action for people to learn how to be responsible and remember those three words we all learned when we were in kindergarten. “Stop, look, and listen” are three actions that should be common sense to people while crossing the street. If technology is going to distract a runner from “stopping, looking, and listening” before crossing the street, then the runner should be able to make that decision whether or not to use their electronic device. Technology should not be held responsible people's lack of common sense.

The Costs We Can Agree On

The people who consider technology a bane can rattle off the evils of its use. One cost that we have overlooked so far, though, is perhaps that which is most universally applicable. This is a cost that everyone cares about – money.

Whether or not our electronic devices are bringing on the downfall of humanity and changing our lives, take a second to think about how your bank account would be different if you didn't NEED these gadgets. That new laptop you needed for school? With a student deal, it only cost $500! That new WoW expansion you're clamoring for will cost $40 in addition to that monthly subscription. Even without games, the ever-intriguing Kinect will burn through $150 of your savings. Americans spend around 9% of their income on electronics and appliances, and we can expect our devices that keep us connected are responsible for a large portion of this cost. Let's face it, our devices are invariably expensive.

How do we rationalize these superfluous expenses? Technology constantly improves and advances, and what was cutting edge one week is old news the next. This decreases its cost and makes us feel better about buying it. When I was in high school, I wanted an iPhone (shocking, I know). When Christmas rolled around and my 2-year contract was up, my parents put my request into perspective. They told me that I could have an iPhone... OR I could have the money an iPhone would cost them in one year in cold, hard cash. I chose to stick with a basic phone, and save the money. In June, Apple changed the plan options from only a $30 a month option to two levels of data plans, with the lower costing $15. This helped my parents justify the cost, and this time when Christmas rolled around, I finally received my shiny new iPhone 4. I certainly appreciate the fact that it's cheaper in the long haul, and my parents felt like they weren't being ripped off. I cant help but wonder though, if the iPhone had been released with this pricing scheme, would they have been so keen on committing to a $15 a month plan?

This is all fine and well, but not everyone wants to wait four years to buy an affordable, outdated DS. We see everyone around us using the cool new "device to have" and we want it too. It is through our addiction and level of desire that we are able to justify these expenses. Owning the latest and gratest gizmo satisfies the cravings we have to be that person. It's totally worth it, right?

These Things Better be Durable

I still remember the words of caution from the AT&T salesperson upon my first iPhone purchase: "Be careful with these things, after using this you won’t be able to use any other phone." Considering how excited I was to finally have an iPhone I was quick to agree with him. But at the time I don’t think I realized exactly what his warning meant. My name is Yara Zokaie, and I am an iPhoneaholic. While I believe my iPhone has more benefits than detriments, I will also admit that my addiction is pathetic. No, that doesn’t mean I plan on cutting back. After all, the first step to recovery is admitting it, right? Well here's why I had to confess to an addiction, and how you can tell if you will soon be doing the same.

1) I use the internet on my iPhone.. while sitting in front of my laptop
2) I check my email on my computer about once a week. I check the e-mail on my iPhone.. as soon as it notifies me I have a new one. (roughly every 10 minutes)

3) I have about 30 "just in case I one day need them because who knows when you need to know who the 26th president is" apps.
4) I don't know my schedule. It's all in my calendar app.
5) I don’t own a camera.
6) I’m on Facebook all the time, but its not in my computer's internet history
7) I have my "to do" list, shopping list, notes to self, and online banking on my iPhone
8) Texting has become my preferred form of communication.
9) My phone is my alarm clock.
10) If my iPhone broke, I would spend a few days in bed eating ice cream and watching old movies.


If you're still wondering if iPhone addictions are real (after that list you're still wondering?), look no further than the Huffington Post. Only 6% of iPhone users claimed that they were not addicted, and 75% sleep with their phone next to them (guilty). My addiction was shoved in my face further when a simple glitch in my phone caused me to be late to work.. twice. An iPhone glitch on 1/1/11 caused iPhone alarms to stop working. Where was I during this crisis? Sleeping, along with the other 89% of iPhone users who don't own an alarm clock. One angry customer, Lindsay G, wrote to Steve Jobbs:

"Mr. Jobs, I’d like to let you know that you have officially, directly
contributed to unemployment in 2011. If you had warned me about the glitch,
I could have at least picked up a $5 battery operated alarm clock that would
have saved my job. Now I’m unemployed in a time when jobs are not easily
had, and I am short on my rent. So, Happy New Year to you, Mr. Jobs, I hope
you remember to shoot me an email next time there is any chance of a glitch."

It's not my character to blame my problems on someone else, but Lindsay does set a nice example.

Dear Apple,

Thanks for the iPhone addictions. It makes our lives so much more efficient, and that much more dependent.

PS: Why didn't you warn Lindsay of the glitch you didn't see coming?

My Cat is Better Than Yours

iPhone applications (commonly known as apps) have come a long way since when they first debuted as primarily a tool for the investor and entrepreneur. However, with an ever active community of hackers and developers, the app library of the iPhone and iPad now has some off the most addictive games ever created (admit it, you’ve all spent hours playing those games). Soon, people started making games not for the iPhone owner, but rather their children. Disney games soon started to populate people’s devices, and children soon started to want their parent’s iPods to play those games. Now who would have thought that the next natural step would have been to create games for one’s pets, specifically cats! Well according to developer Nate Murray (developer of the now popular Game for Cats), it is indeed the future.

The idea of the games are simple, entertain your pet with your electronic devices. Apps such as Game for Cats, App for Cats, or Cat Toy are all currently on iTunes available for download. Conceptually, all of these games are the same, some kind of sprite moving around a screen. What’s interesting is how successful these apps seem to be. If you had told me even 5 years ago that one day this would be the future even I would have been skeptical. 5 years ago I would have never guessed that our society would become that dependent on their electronic devices to even rely as forms of entertainment for our pets.

However, watching this shift in culture has been interesting. I wonder if in the future when holograms become all the rage, will they be an acceptable form of entertainment, for both people and pets? Will one day people give up actual adventures into the woods to be replaced by journeys to places recreated purely by technology? Does this represent a fundamental shift in how people are now going to spend their time, forever getting more and more addicted to their portable electronic devices?

Photo Credits: http://www.thevine.com.au/resources/imgthumb/cat-ipad-fun-thumb_190410103144.jpg

 -Peter Yao